Venezuela’s Maduro accuses US of plotting coup

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused the United States and American Vice President Joe Biden of plotting a conspiracy to overthrow the Caracas government.

“The north imperial power has entered a dangerous phase of desperation, has gone to talk to the continent’s governments to announce the overthrow of my government. And I accuse Vice President Joe Biden of this,” said Maduro as quoted by the Venezuelan news site, Ultimas Noticias, on Monday.

According to Maduro, Caribbean leaders told him last week in Costa Rica that they had recently participated in an energy meeting with Biden in Washington, where the US vice president spoke of the alleged plans for a coup against Caracas.

On January 30, the Venezuelan president said in a speech from the presidential palace that several US federal agencies had devised a number of plots against Caracas and also plan to oust Maduro.

“There are US diplomats in Venezuela contacting military officials to betray their country, looking to influence socialist political leaders, public opinion leaders and entrepreneurs to provoke a coup,” said Maduro at the time.

Maduro also said in his speech that the time may come when it is impossible to keep diplomatic relations with the US due to the constant attacks from Washington and its diplomats on the Venezuelan government.

The Venezuelan government has repeatedly stated that the opposition seeks to launch a coup d’état in the South American country with the backing of Washington.

Maduro said last December that he had “recordings” that reveal the US was seeking to corrupt Venezuelan government officials.

On December 3, 2014, Venezuelan opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, was charged with being involved in an alleged conspiracy to assassinate Maduro, allegations which she strongly denied.

Caracas and Washington remain at odds since late Hugo Chavez became president in 1999. Both sides have refused to exchange ambassadors since 2010. The two countries have chargé d’affaires running their respective embassies.